Articles of the year 2010

The people have decided that they will never get justice from the courts, no matter how well-intentioned, so they will be better off voting for their man, crooked or not, and use their vote to achieve their end. The power of the politician is a force to be reckoned with, and, but for the barrel of a gun, can work wonders

Almost a year ago, an ex-MNA of Punjab breached the security cordon of a Chinese Vice Presidential motorcade, in Islamabad, which could have created serious consequences for Pakistan. The ex-MNA was so self-important that he risked causing a diplomatic incident with the only real friend that Pakistan has. Earlier this month, we saw an almost similar incident where the road to the presidency was blocked for a motorcade of the chief of army staff. A minister, reportedly Babar Awan, in his own motorcade, tried to break the line till he came face to face with the business end of a G3-wielding jawan with a no nonsense look about him, causing an immediate backing off by the minister. It brings to mind the famous story of the power of the Pope, when Stalin replied, "Yes, but how many divisions does the Pope have?" This, while spelling out the reality to the minister explained the quick volte-face, but does not address the basic issue. We see the motorcades of various ministers speeding through red lights recklessly, as they consider themselves above the law, and a red light is meant to be obeyed only by the rank and file, not 'them'. This does take us to the motto of Pakistan coined by our founding father, the Quaid-e-Azam, 'Unity, Faith, Discipline'. The Quaid had realised early on that discipline was indeed the cornerstone for any nation to progress. The German and the Japanese nations are prime examples. Chairman Mao Tse Tung instilled discipline throughout his regime, and now the Chinese are reaping copious benefits, heading towards economic leadership.

However, it appears that discipline has been trampled upon by our political leadership, for if they cannot obey a red light, and need to be reminded by an army jawan, who was doing a duty he was assigned to, then the discipline of the army is certainly more assiduously obeyed and will prevail. As for Chaudhry Nisar to bleat within the assembly about the privilege of the Pakistani flag, we need only to consider in how many ways this privilege has been violated. It is an almost daily occurrence in all aspects of Pakistani life.

Discipline is all-important, and the PPP itself bears testimony to the discipline amongst party ranks. One can witness many who broke the party line only to find themselves quickly propelled into the political wilderness. It is, therefore, important that discipline be enforced — starting with the simple traffic light.

In the meantime, the honourable Supreme Court seems to be taking its time in deciding whether their laboriously and minutely crafted decisions regarding the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) are to be implemented or not, or by whom or when. The prime minister's camp has declared that he will not. So we have a judgement that is being hailed as a landmark by a judiciary recognised as the most independent and honest in the history of Pakistan, yet this judgement is academic in nature, for after an initial flurry, all activity on its findings seem to have been consigned to ivory towers where the nitpickers will continue to examine the various nuances and debate ad infinitum on the merits and demerits of the judgement. Implementation of the verdict seems a far-away dream and does show the superiority of the legal legerdemain of the presidential camp. The entire long march episode, billed as the biggest single step towards an independent judiciary, which in turn is the ultimate guarantor of democracy, is naught if the implementation of the NRO judgement is being held in abeyance by an executive determined to block implementation. The entire episode is now part of our judicial history, and shall be consigned to the ranks of unsettled disputes. This field has many occupants, but unfortunately none of these files will be taken to a conclusion. That is the destiny of this genre. Meanwhile, all the stalwarts, heroes indeed of the long march, having achieved the restoration of the chief justice, are exhausted by their efforts, and the fruits of their victory have not yet been delivered to the people, who are still waiting.

The people have decided that they will never get justice from the courts, no matter how well-intentioned, so they will be better off voting for their man, crooked or not, and use their vote to achieve their end. The power of the politician is a force to be reckoned with, and, but for the barrel of a gun, can work wonders.